Were you born and bred in the village, or did you move here
– and if the latter, what brought you to Odell? Was it work, family, or simply
choice? If you chose to come and live here was it the image of a rural idyll
that attracted you to this lovely part of the Ouse Valley? One of the reasons
people choose to live in a village is their desire to be part of a vibrant local
community.

Older village residents often tell me about ‘the good old
days’ when everyone knew everyone, with many working on the Luke estate or in
the leather factory. Their children played in Horsefair Lane, went to the
village school and were regularly in and out of each other’s houses. Some
remember the opening of the Village Hall, the dances and other events which
nearly everyone came to. The community spirit was alive and well, happening
naturally and taken for granted.

Nowadays the scenario is very different. People no longer
work in the village, they commute or work from home. Children attend a variety
of schools and we are socially mobile, seeking entertainment from a wide area.
If we meet up with people outside our normal social circle it’s likely to be in
The Bell pub, in Harrold surgery or the Co-op, at WI or church, or at a Village
Hall event.

It is indeed a privilege to live in such a lovely place,
but sad to see the old community spirit dwindling for a number of reasons, some
beyond our control, and to hear that more than one planned event at the Village
Hall had to be cancelled because of lack of support.

While some have been kind enough to say that the annual
Fete and Dog Show brings people together (and All Saints’ Church is enormously
grateful for all the help and support from so many of you once again this year)
it takes more than a single annual event to create a sense of active community.

The Christian faith teaches us to love God and to love our
neighbour as ourselves. This is not something that just happens without any
effort on our part - it has to be worked at, and at times can be tough. But
it’s worth persevering as the benefits to be gained are boundless.

My prayer is that everyone who lives in this village will
feel valued, by God and by one another, and want to share in village activities
and events as far as they are able, to keep that community spirit alive and
well. Christine

Lost and Found

A soft camera case has been found in the church following
one of our open day/ tea in the tower events. If you know of someone who
has lost this or if you think it may be yours, please phone Jill Cheadle on
01234 720261.

Prayer Group

What is the Prayer
Group? It is made up of members of All Saints’ Church who undertake to
pray regularly, on an individual basis, for people who ask us for prayer
support.

Who do we pray for?
Anyone whom we are asked to remember; these might be people from our church,
from our local community or others known to us.

What do we pray
about? Anything which you would like brought before God; maybe anxiety
due to illness, stress or loneliness. You can also tell us of a special day you
wish to be remembered – perhaps for an interview or an exam. Any information
will be treated in strictest confidence.

How can you let us
know if you would like us to pray for you? You can either telephone
Christine (720234), or drop a note through the Rectory door.

Odell
Fete and Family Dog Show Saturday 8th
June 2013

The fete was once again a great success and, judging from
feedback, was thoroughly enjoyed by many. Once again the dog show was a star
attraction and brought many visitors and a huge variety of dogs! The final
figure for the profit has not been calculated yet, but it is likely to be in the
region of £3,300. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it happen

The
championship was won by ‘Buddy’ (owner: Michele Dadd from Ampthill).

The
trophy was donated by Chris Coffey.

Runner up was ‘Miss lola’ (owner: Mollie Jackson from Stevington).

The
plaque was bought by the Boys Brigade in memory of Roma Garon.

The
Dog Show raised £217.50, which was a record amount for the show.

The results of the Cup Cake Competition

Class
1 Aged 5-10

First: Saskia Cutts

Second: Benjamin Cutts

Class
2 Aged 11-17

First: Lottie Robinson (aged 12) - Flowers

Second: Elizabeth Hulatt-Richardson - Reptiles

Third: Lottie Robinson (aged 12) - 99 ice cream cakes

Class
3 Aged 18 and over

First: Steve Robinson - Strawberries

Second: Ellie Lee - Sea Creatures

Third: Denise Gower- Flowers

The
Judge particularly commended the entries from Will and Katie from ‘The Bell’.

Lost and Found

A mobile phone has been found in the car park for the
fete. If you know of someone who has lost their phone, or if you think it may
be yours, please phone Jill Cheadle on 01234 720261.

All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the months of July and August is to
Open Doors.

This
Evangelical organisation supports the persecuted church and Christians worldwide
– providing Bibles and teaching materials, training for church leaders,
practical and financial help, literacy programmes and community development
projects. See the notice board in the church for more information.

ART EXHIBITION & SALE

All Saints ‘ Church – Odell, Beds MK43 7AA

Bank Holiday Weekend

24th,
25th,
& 26th August – 12 noon until 5pm

Entrance to Exhibition £2.00 per person
(16yrs & under free)

Tea & Cakes served at The Rectory
2.00pm-4.30pm

Now is the time to reveal your hidden
talents!

If you would like to exhibit your paintings
or photographs, please contact Catherine Corkery for an application form.

Proceeds in aid of
Church funds, and in support of our link missionaries, Dick and Caroline Seed in
Kenya.

Stitches
of Hope

For many years Meg
Clark and one or two others from All Saints’ Church have knitted blankets and
children's clothes for 'Stitches of Hope' - a project run by Christian Hope
International, delivering aid for children in Africa and Romania. Jane Smith,
who has been knitting and crocheting for the project many months now, decided to
ask the ladies she works with on a Friday afternoon at the Day Resource Centre
in Bedford, if they would like to help ... here they are with Jane, displaying
their work. This means we are now able to send off a large parcel of woolly
warmers every 2 months - thank you girls, and keep at it!.

Please send all entries for the September 2013magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by
August 12th at the
latest. May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit,
shorten or alter any items that are submitted. Also, the opinions expressed in
the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the
editorial team. .